Improvement in signaling devices



H. KINNERSLEY;

SIGNALING DEVICE.

No. 171,517. Patented Dec. 28,1875.

N. PETERS, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D Q

UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE.

HENRY KINNERSLEY, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNALING DEVICES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent'No. 171,517, dated December 28, 1875; application filo October 5, 1875. i

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY KINNERSLEY, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster and Kingdom of England, have invented a new and useful improvement in signaling appa-- inoperative, and also by day, the same set of signals being used on both occasions, if desirable.

The commercial code consists of a series of groups of one, two, three, or four consonants, representing all words or ideas useful in communication at sea, and is common to all nations. Flags are used to represent the letters. I use the letters themselves, my manner of doing so being better explained by the accompanying isometrical drawing.

In this, A is a box, having astrong reflectin g-surface, or Fresnel or other reflectors, at the back. Holes for the passage of air are placed at top and bottom. In this box are placed a series of lamps, B. Equidistant in the front of the box are three grooved pillars, c c c, and in the top of the box, extending from groove to groove in eachof the four equal divisions I thus formed, is the slit D, the same width-as the grooves. Twenty-two slides, E, preferably of metal, are constructed-to enter the slits D and slide easily in the grooves in c. When in position they entirely fill "up the vacant side, acting, as it were, as four sliding lids to the divisions of a box laid on its side. Eighteen of these slides have each a difi'erent one of the eighteen consonants cut out of its substance I I in broad, well-deflned block-letter perforations;

the others being left blank. The letters H and F are thus shown in the drawing. These slides can be made of any suitable material,

I but I prefer them of stout sheet-iron, and

tinned, not merely to preserve them, but also to reflect the light strikingthem, when in position in front of the lamps, back again onto the reflector behind. Of course, any series of figures could be used instead ofthe consonants,

represent the flags themselves.

To work the apparatus at night the lamps are lighted, and the box is placed with its open side directly facing the spectator. to be signaled to. The lettered slides representing the signals required are then slid into position and successively substituted for one another. When any signal requires less than four letters the space not required is filled up with a blank. The whole apparatus can be easily carried about a ship and placed where desired. In using it on light-houses I prefer to place the apparatus perpendicular-that is, the letters one over the other. By day, black letters placed against a white sail, or the plates E themselves, ifthe side exposed be painted black, will accomplish the same pur-- pose.

It is obvious that, if preferred, the letters may be made on flags or banners for day use, and made to operate the. same, this being merely a matterof expediency or convenience, to. be determined by the party using them.

I claim as my invention 1. As an improvement in the devices or apparatus used for signaling in the commercial code used at sea, a series of screens or flags, each provided with 'a letter, substantially as described.

2. A signaling apparatus consisting of a series of compartments, each provided with a light, and with the slides or screens, arranged to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

HENRY KINNERSLEY. Witnesses:

W M. P. THOMPSON, EDWARD G. OoLToN.- 

